See Chapter One for Disclaimer

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Ugh...the format of the first time I posted this was terrible.

A note to my reveiwer & bb'ers...I'm really trying to tone down the OFC. I apologise for bringing one more Mary Sue atrocity in to the world but I promise that wasn't my intention. After this chapter, the last one I have really polished, this fic will most likely die. It isn't what I was going for and the Mary Sue factor is a disgrace. Sorry.

*** As far as the 'wierd' name and spelling goes, my first language is Gaelic and Griee, while it is no 'Gaelic' equivalent to Heather, is not uncommon, especially as a nickname.



Chapter Three

Glimpsing Griee



Severus headed out of the dungeons, early the next morning, and off to the meeting between the Minister of Magic and Hogwart's new Brena. Once seated, he checked his pocket watch, noting that Minister Fudge was late. The day had begun so long ago, he scowled. And on the heels of waking in the early morning during holiday had come the revelation concerning the castle's new visitor.

Albus had summoned him shortly after his noon tea. Upon arriving in the headmaster's office, Albus directed his attention to a large bowl that sat on his desk. Skipping pleasantries and the habitually offered lemon drops, Albus looked to Severus.

"There is something I want you to see," he motioned for Snape to sit. The potions master sat and warily leaned over the bowl. The last sound of the real world he heard was Albus distinctly sighing.

He was immediately in memory—not his own memory of course—perhaps a memory of Dumbledore's. He turned his head to take in his surroundings. He determined it to be some sort of lav with a currently occupied shower cubicle. What an odd memory for Albus to choose to share, he thought. Suddenly, the door to the lav was hexed off its hinges, the noise muted by another murmured incantation. Four men rushed in. Severus fought the urge to gasp as he recognised their garb. "Death Eaters," he whispered. The leader grabbed at the cloth of the shower curtain and ripped it down, revealing a naked but unflinching Brena Morganae.

"Crucio!" the first Death Eater pointed his wand at her. The curse flew fast and hit her, full force. Expecting her to drop instantly, Severus was amazed when she cringed slightly yet remained upright. She quickly raised her left arm, her hand empty and assumed useless. What she mumbled was hard to discern over the water pounding on tiles but Severus saw its effects immediately. The Death Eater who cast Crucio fell dead and the tell-tell green sparks of dark magic hung in the air and on her still sparkling fingertips. The three remaining Death-Eaters, obviously distraught at her blatant use of dark magic, took advantage of moment of weakness as she steadied herself from the draining effects of her use of powerful magic without the aid of a wand.

"Avir Noc!" he hissed. The woman was thrown through the air in an odd, clumsy fashion as her magic fought to repel the spell. He managed to slam her side into the tile wall and Severus heard the unmistakable snap of bone. Griee slid down the wall and slumped to the floor, moaning. Always a group fond of torture before death, the second man spat out the incantation again, this time sending her, back first, into the mirror over the wash basin. It shattered and ripped into naked flesh.

Severus clinched his fist as he recognised the voice. He returned his attention to the badly beaten witch lying on the floor in a puddle of blood. One of the Death Eaters kicked her, hard, and she rolled close to the body of the dead wizard. She grabbed his wand and screamed a stupefying spell so loud even Severus' ears rang. Two of the Death Eaters fell to the ground as timbers. The remaining Death Eater, the leader, attacked with an expelling spell and the wand flew from her hand. Exhausted, she lay on the floor looking resolved to her death. As he leaned forward, the masked man took her throat in his hand.

"I think I'll squeeze the life out of you, eh?" a rich baritone came from behind the still mask. He squeezed her throat harder and Severus saw the blue come to her lips. Just as she was about to pass out, she groped for a shard of mirror and finding it stabbed at the man. The glass penetrated the man's unprotected belly and he screamed, releasing his grip. They both lay there, Morganae gasping for breath and the Death Eater writhing in pain. Suddenly, Severus was in the headmaster's office.

"How did she…" he began but pushed that thought aside. "She used dark magic, Unforgivables!"

"I know," Dumbledore offered.

"And you want her to teach? She should be… Is no one looking for her—the Ministry? Azkaban?" he seethed.

"She did it to protect herself."

"She did it all the same," Snape muttered.

"Cornelius Fudge will be here in the morning. I want you to be here as well," the headmaster spoke measurably.

"And why, may I ask, will my presence be required?" Snape drawled.

"If things go as I suspect tomorrow," Albus spoke quickly, "I may need help in restraining Ms Morganae."











After a lengthy explanation, that conveniently excluded the dark magic, Morganae began to question Fudge. Feeling it should be the other way around, Fudge became defensive and nervous.

"Do you not think that Voldemort is a real threat?" she demanded in an unflatteringly shrilly voice.

"My dear, He-who-must-not-be-named is dead. The few remaining Death Eaters are only out for themselves," he said, surely.

"I don't need to remind you that I am one of the few people in this room," he became aware of her angry tone, "who has first hand experience with a Death Eater, let alone four of them. Mark my words, Minister, Voldemort is alive and commanding his legions once again. Five other Brens have been attacked." Severus saw that Griee looked pointedly at Fudge who in turn looked to Dumbledore.

"I suppose the girl does have a point…" he began lightly.

"The girl has a proper name and proper title, which you will use when you address me," Griee interrupted quickly. "And only me," she added.

"Albus, are you going to just let her commandeer the room?" Fudge looked nervously at the old wizard. For his part, Albus kept silent. He looked forward to what he was sure would ensue as soon as the Minister chose to address himself instead of the fiery Brena.

"Albus lets me do nothing. His presence is due to my request. His wise council and breadth of experience are unmatched." She glared, icily. In an attempt to be jovial, Fudge motioned to Professor Snape who was seated nearby.

"Eh, then why is he here?" Fudge laughed at his own joke. Griee rose angrily from her seat and in two, man-wide strides stood before the shocked Minister.

"He is here because he is a very powerful and clever wizard. And one of the wizarding world's greatest assets," she snarled. In truth, she too had wondered why

Albus had asked for Severus to be present during her meeting with Minister Fudge. In the end, she had decided not to question his motives, only to trust him. To have Fudge so thinly veil an insult to Snape infuriated her. She may not have been fond of the potions master, but she would not allow any wizard as talented as he to be mocked.

"Look here, young lady!" Fudge attempted to chide.

"Enough!" She slammed her fist on the side table causing him to flinch. "Fudge,

I am not as young as that and I am certainly no lady. You have been an utter and complete waste of my time. I am flustered by your insistence at denying not only my title, but my ability to speak for myself." Fudge shifted uncomfortably in his seat and raised a hand to silence her. Griee paid no attention to gesture and continued her tirade.

"Invoking the wrath of a Brena is no safe way to go through life," at this she poked a slender finger in the general area of his continually reddening face. "A word of warning,

Fudge: most Brens would not be quite as understanding." Her momentary lapse of courtly apathy allowed Severus a better look at her. In this state, her hair falling in her face and her body poised in a territorial crouch, he saw her sheer crassness. She was no 'born' aristocrat as he first thought. Her features were too rough—her cheeks too high, her nose too round, her shoulders too broad. Her grace was learned, not inherent, and vanished at the least distraction. Standing now, before the minister, she looked dangerous not distinguished.

"This meeting is over!" Fudge bellowed.

"Yes it is," Griee growled. Albus sighed as the two left, first Griee—stomping all the way and Fudge—content to scoff at her impertinence with every step. The headmaster turned toward Snape and smiled.

"That went well," he chuckled.

*Fic now dead * Commence with rejoicing*